Knowledge of modern principles of rational cardiovascular therapy in Moscow primary care physicians: survey-based assessment

Abstract

Aim. To assess the knowledge of primary care physicians on the choice of medications for the long-term treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD); on the control of pharmacological therapy effectiveness and safety; and on the selection of optimal medications for specific clinical situations. Material and methods. In 2010, a voluntary survey of Moscow physicians working at specialised and municipal out-patient clinics was conducted. The number of participants was 281 (response rate 70%). Results. Thirty percent of the physicians correctly identified a selective β-adrenoblocker (β-AB) from the list of various medications. Typical adverse effects of statins, β-ABs, and calcium antagonists were known to 33%, 66,4%, and 38%, respectively. Every fifth respondent (22,6%) would recommend ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (captopril or losartan) to pregnant women. Sixty six percent of the participants identified the patients’ unwillingness to simultaneously take many medications and the fear of adverse effects (AE) as the major barriers to prescribing modern complex pharmacological therapy. Conclusion. Specialised questionnaires, used for interactive voting, and point-based assessment system provided an opportunity to identify the inadequate physicians’ knowledge of pharmacological therapyrelated AE and of the AE registration system. Poor knowledge of clinical recommendations affects the physicians’ ability to make correct decisions in specific clinical situations.

Keywords

• survey of physicians
• specialised questionnaires
• clinical recommendations
• effectiveness and safety of pharmacological therapy